Lawmakers Asked to Take Lie Tests

(AP) ^ | Aug 2, 7:46 AM (ET) | CHRISTOPHER NEWTON

[SpinyNorman]

Lawmakers Asked to Take Lie Tests

By CHRISTOPHER NEWTON

WASHINGTON (AP) - The FBI has asked several members of the House and Senate intelligence committees to submit to lie-detector tests as part of the investigation into who leaked information related to the Sept. 11 attacks, a law enforcement official said late Thursday.

"Lie-detector tests are a standard element of FBI investigations and they are meant to eliminate people from suspicion," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. "They are always voluntary."

The Washington Post reported in Friday editions that nearly all 37 members of the intelligence committees have been questioned and many have been asked to take lie-detector tests. Several lawmakers have refused to take the test, the newspaper said.

The FBI's investigation is broad in scope - several dozen congressional staff members also have been questioned and even some CIA agents have been interviewed.

Investigators are trying to determine who leaked information to CNN about communications in Arabic that made vague references to an impending attack on the United States. The communications were intercepted by the National Security Agency on Sept. 10.

An intelligence source later told The Associated Press they contained the phrases, "Tomorrow is zero hour," and "The match is about to begin."

The intercepts weren't translated until Sept. 12.

Their relevance is uncertain. Intelligence officials say it's not clear if the conversations referred to the hijackings. Even if they did, they offered few clues about the nature of the attacks.

But White House spokesman Ari Fleischer has called the disclosure of the language "alarmingly specific."

"The selective, inappropriate leaking of snippets of information risks undermining national security, and it risks undermining the promises made to protect this sensitive information," he said.

The leak investigation was sought by Sen. Bob Graham, D-Fla., chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, and Rep. Porter J. Goss, R-Fla., chairman of the House Intelligence Committee.

[SpinyNorman]

Wouldn't they have to rescale the lie detector? Think of the possibilities!!! LOLOL!!!

[dirtboy]

Wouldn't they have to rescale the lie detector?

No kidding. The poor guy administering the test would have to wear a raincoat so he wouldn't get soaked in ink.

[savedbygrace]

Polygraphs for senators? That's like mirror tests for vampires.

They'll fight it tooth and nail.

[chiefqc]

Would not do any good, they are much to adapt at lying.

[Chi Chi Tokyo]

Maybe they should make it a "truth detector test".

[The_Victor]

Several lawmakers have refused to take the test, the newspaper said.

This is because the lie detector will demonstrate that they are incapable of telling the truth about anything. I can just envision the scenario...

Agent: "Please state your name."

Little Dick: "Richard Gephart."

Agent: "He's lying."

[where's_the_Outrage?]

How can you tell when a member of congress is lying?

Their lips are moving.

[niteowl77]

LOL! Like the Simpsons episode where Moe (who is still hooked up) gets the buzzer after shouting, "I don't deserve this shabby treatment!"

[Piquaboy]

They could hook Clinton up to a machine and accomplish the same thing as hooking it up to those clowns.

[Commiewatcher]

Not necessary for Sen. Leaky of VT. All they have to do is ask him to pull down his pants. What an awful thought.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Lets have the names ! If Sen. Lahey can run his mouth, prime the pump at FBI.

[ukwildcat]

All this time I thought they worked for us! If they decline, especially in a position on the Intelligence committee, then they should be removed from that committee.

[SkyPilot]

FBI Agent: Are you ready Senator?

Senator Lieberman: Yes, I think so...

FBI Agent: OK, just relaaaax! Now, what State do you represent?

Senator Lieberman: Connecticut

FBI Agent: Good. See--piece of cake. Are you married?

Senator Lieberman: Yes.

FBI Agent: When you were running for Vice President, did you ever attend meetings about nullifying the votes of military members?

Senator Lieberman: Ughhh, no---of course not!

Whooop! Whooop!

Senator Lieberman: What the hell was that!

FBI Agent: Nothing Senator, that's just our little machine here. Now, tell me, what do you know about leaks from the Senate Intelligence Committee?

Senator Lieberman: I don't have to answer that!

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

They can save a lot of time by testing this puke first. The polygraphist should give him an extra 20 pounds on the cuff for good measure.

[Mfkmmof4]

Then I have a great idea for these guys!! Stop leaking!!

[Commiewatcher]

"If they decline, especially in a position on the Intelligence committee, then they should be removed from that committee."

I don't see how any democRAT could sit on what you might call an 'intelligence' committee. I thought they had minimum IQ requirements of, say 90.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Suppose this topic will be fodder for the Sunday morning news shows and Sunday paper editorials ?
I didn't think so, either.

[SkyPilot]

Suppose this topic will be fodder for the Sunday morning news shows and Sunday paper editorials ? I didn't think so, either.

You are probably correct for Meet the Depressed, Faceless Nation, and This Week with Sam and Kookie. But, Tony Snow has been known to Freep---and Brit Hume as well.

So maybe.....

I would love to see some democrat squirm about this.

[Commiewatcher]

"Suppose this topic will be fodder for the Sunday morning news shows and Sunday paper editorials?"

Don't think so. They already have the hit pieces on Cheney and that old worn out Harken Energy crap lined up for this weekend. Maybe next weekend.